Welcome! Iโm happy youโre here. You can call me Kate, one of many nicknames, or Kathryne, my full first name. Either way, Iโm a self-taught cook from Oklahoma. I started this blog in 2010 and named it after my canine sidekick, Cookie. Now, I live in Kansas City with my husband and young daughter and work on this blog full-time. I love my job!
Follow Cookie and Kate
You should know that Iโm totally obsessed with food. I daydream about new recipes. I devour cookbooks (I even wrote my own). I read up on food policy and nutrition. I love photographing food and hope my photos inspire you to step into the kitchen to cook a delicious, healthy meal.
Our cookbook, Love Real Food, is here! It has over 5,000 5-star reviews! Get Your Copy
Above all, I love eating food, especially while in the presence of good company. Good food in good companyโdoes it get any better than that?
I believe that cooking should be fun and recipes, flexible. I choose not to cook meat, so all of the recipes on Cookie and Kate are vegetarian. I believe in eating whole foods, which are as close to their source as possible. Iโm also an avid supporter of the occasional indulgence, and I laugh with friends over drinks as often as possible.
This blog is all about celebrating good foodโreal, sustainable food that delights the senses and nourishes the body.
About Cookie
Cookie is a jaunty spotted mutt who makes friends everywhere she goes. She is my eager four-legged assistant, my chief crumb catcher and the best companion a girl could ask for.
I adopted Cookie in the summer of 2009. She came with her name and nothing more. Whether she was named for being one smart cookie or for looking like cookies and cream, the name suits her well.
After five years of referring to Cookie as a โmystery mutt,โ I finally caved and ordered a DNA test. My beloved, one-of-a-kind pup is half schipperke and half dachshund/Australian koolie mix.
Cookie left this world in 2023 after thirteen incredible years together. I miss her dearly, and this website will remain Cookie and Kate in honor of our time together.
Frequently Asked Questions
My cookbook, Love Real Food, can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BAM!, Bookshop.org,ย and Indigo. Digital editions of the book are available for purchase and download at iBooksย and Amazon Kindle. Look for the book in your local bookstore or Barnes u0026 Noble. More book details here.
I use a Nikon Z6 with a Nikkor Z 50mm lens. Check out my food photography tips for more details. As of 2023, Iโve outsourced my photography to my wonderful video team so that I can spend more time with my family.
Check out my top 20 tips for food blogging and how to start a food blog, which includes design and web hosting tips.
Thank you for asking. Please refer to my photo and recipe policy for details.
Get in Touch!
Please contact me here or comment below! Youโre also welcome to check out my press page for interviews and other features.
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I recently purchased your cook book, โLove Real Food.โ This book is practical to follow and the recipes are delicious. Most importantly, the dressing recipes are easy to make. They are delightful, especially the โliquid goldโ dressing. Did I mention the banana bread recipe? Thank you!!!
Hi Claudia, Iโm so glad you are enjoying the cookbook! Youโll find many more recipes on this site.
I just followed your recipe for black beans tonightโฆ they were delicious.
Looking forward to more of your recipes.
We make your banana-coconut pancakes every Sunday when we get home from church.
They are a Sunday favorite!
I am looking forward to making my husband & I healthier with your recipes.
I appreciate all that you do here so generously. You are a bright spot in my inbox and are accomplishing your goal of making whole vegetarian cooking accessible and exciting to everyone. Thank you so much!
Hi Michelle, thanks so much for sharing your kind words! It was a bright spot in my day.
I found your website through Wellness 360 PT and Message newsletter. Weโve been wanting to cut down on meat. We love the Stuffed Shells and bean enchiladas. Canโt wait to try more.
Hi Bonnie, thanks for visiting and glad you found the site. I hope you enjoy more recipes!
This winter I found your cookbook, which I own, on the bookshelf of a friendโs sister. The friend and I were dog sitting for her sister. I made the liquid gold dressing. Then I made the blueberry muffins in the morning. My friend has ordered your cookbook now. Both of my daughtersโ owned you cookbook. That is why I was gifted a copy. They, sadly lost the books in the Palisades fire. They confided that they are not sure what cookbooks in their collection they want to replace. I will be sending replacements of your cookbook soon. We love so many of your recipes, the energy bites, the oatmeal no bake cookies, the carrot cake breakfast cookies, granola, ,chickpea marsalaโฆ..they miss your cookbook! I would give all a 5 star rating!
Hi Debra, Iโm so glad to hear you enjoy the cookbook and sorry to hear about the destruction of the fire. Sending warm thoughts for recovery.
The frozen bananas for strawberry smoothie are a great trick. Love it! Thanks!
Like the look of your recipes you show, first impression always stays with you
Scrolled thru your recipes! All look so good!want to try SO many; Mexican salad, granola, frittata, so much I luv. Iโm newly subscribed, look forward to seeing more, trying a lot of theseโบ๏ธ
My husband and I bought this cookbook almost 10 years ago. We now have five kids and meal planning is a must. In over ten years we still use these recipes weekly, they are staple and never get old! Kale salad, veggie burgers, colorful weeknight bowl, lemonade, farro dish and so many more are our favorites. Thanks Kate for a great book, they make an awesome gift for anyone. The recipes are easy to follow and perfect every time. my kids love them!
Hi Hillary, itโs wonderful to hear that the recipes in the cookbook have stood the test of time for you!
Iโm a food photographer, are you in need of a photographer? I would like to work with you. I feel my photography would enhance your website.
Hi Shelley, best of luck finding a home for your work, but I am not in need of photography services at this time.
Hello Kate from SC,
I somehow stumbled into your recipes and your website. I also try to eat whole foods AND I used to live in Overland Park and Stilwell :) I am looking forward to trying your recipes. You cook like I do. Try thisโฆ Or add thisโฆ Itโs all about the options.
I am making the romaine wedge salad tomorrow with the chickpeas. I smiled when I read that you were inspired by a salad from The Mixx. It was one of my favorite places to eat.
Hope your day is a good one!
Teri
Hi Teri,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a note! Itโs good to hear from another fan of The Mixx. I hope you enjoy the recipes.
Iโm not sure if Iโve commented before, but I love this recipe and have made it several times, often taking it to potlucks upon request. Thank you!!!!
Hello! Our family has been making your INCREDIBLE Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Strawberries, Goat Cheese and Almonds for years. Everyone adores it and weโve always kept a link to it in our family recipe Google Drive. Our link isnโt working now and we canโt find the recipe on your site anymore. Just wondering how we can find these recipe. We know how to make everything but the dressing which really makes the dish! Thanks for all the great recipes!
Hi Natalie,
I emailed you a pdf of the recipe.
Oh my the cherry tomato, summers squash, fusilli with goat cheese salad is absolutely delicious. I love all your recipes but this one has made it to my top choice. Canโt wait to make it for family and friends. Yum
Your recipes look so delicious!! Iโm looking forward to making your
Chia seed pudding recipe!
Kate, I have had your cookbook for at least 3 or more years & love it. I keep watching for a new one because I love your recipes! Iโve told so many people about you & Cookie.
You posted a recipe today for pita chips & other things but as it was blocked out after the chips. I savor all your recipes so donโt ever want to miss one. Is it possible to send me the ones I couldnโt get? Thanks Ann
Hi Ann, you can subscribe to get new recipes via email here. Thank you for your support!
I have lived in Mexico, Texas, and W.V. now for the last few years and my country cooking is off the chain,but I have found a issues with making biscuits been making them all of my life
I love your emails! So many wonderful recipes. I wish youโd publish your recent post on lunch menus. It was fabulous, but Iโd like it in book form.
I also wish you had a membership fee so I could compensate you for the joy you give me.
Hi Suzanne, thank you for your kind words! Easy lunch recipes are ones I improvise often, so turning more into a book would be an interesting project.
Iโm going to make this tonite, but wanted to let you know, been making your guacamole recipe for a few years and it always get s โbest guacamole EVERโ comment from friends. Wonโt make another version ever again. The best.
Looking for tabbouleh, which l hoped would offer a recipe with quinoa. Viola, l found it exactly! And so much more. Now looking to try out many intriguing combos. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Kate,
I love your book and recipes in Love Real Food. My husband and I are in our 60โs and I always have tried to cook healthy food. I am trying to stay heart healthy and your recipes are great. The one thing your recipes are missing are the nutritional contact. Do you have that available? I especially look at Protein, Fiber, Fat, Calories, Salt and Sugar content.
Is there any way you can provide those to me?
Thank you.
Hi Diane, you can click on the โshow nutritionโ button on any recipe to get those details.
Thank you.
I will look up the recipes online to get the nutritional values. I have the book.
I am making the quinoa black beans tacos tonight.
Just found your sweet potato fries recipe on line. They look yummy & easy. Looking froward to making them tonight. Thank you.
I love your website, cookbook, and recipes, which have never failed me and all of which I consult several times a week.
Itโs getting to be a tad chilly here in the Connecticut evenings, so I treated myself to the ingredients necessary to make a Manhattan. I already know how to make one, but, as I was already on your site re-reading your perfect hummus recipe, I decided to check your take; I was startled to see in your photo THE EXACT INGREDIENTS IโD PURCHASED (I already had the Luxardo cherriesโฆcue spooky music).
I know now Iโm on the right track. Best to you and yours.
Cheers! Hummus and a Manhattan sounds like a wonderful happy hour.
I just ordered your fantastic cookbook. I am making your vegetable soup and have lots of wonderful veggies left over from a vegetable platter I made for a party last night. I also have some eggplant from another recipe I had made prior. Can it be used in the soup or do you think it would be too mushy?
Hi Caprice, I recommend one of my eggplant recipes, like my ratatouille!
I love your recipes!! My go to book for sure! Love real Food should be in everyoneโs library! My absolute favorites are the tomato soup and roasted cauliflower soup! So easy even I can do it! Being on a restricted diet, I thank you for healthy recipes that I can eat! Two thumbs up from me!
I found your Healthy Pumkin Bread recipe today. I am so happy to find it and canโt wait to make it tomorrow. Do you have any recipes that are especially good for diabetics?
Also, I read about Cookie and felt I knew you and your dear girl. So happy I found your site.
Hi Leila, thank you for your kind words. My recipes are whole foods and include lots of vegetables. I avoid refined sugars and use whole grains.
So excited to find a brown rice risotto . We substituted oven roasted foraged hen of the woods and it was stellar ! I also substituted grated pecorino cheese due to dairy sensitivities . Our guests raved . Will definitely make this a go-to recipe! Easy , delicious , and adaptable !
Thank you, Kate for the Southwestern Chowder recipe. Im truly sorry for the loss of your dog, Cookie. Iโd like to by your book , so a question arises: can diabetics or pre-diabetics use your recipes? Thanks for a reply.
Hi Eva, my recipes are focused on whole foods and lots of vegetables, and I use natural sugars and whole grains.
Hi Kate, I was curious about the sugar and salt amount, as I limit both. At the grocery recently, I was appalled that over 500 grams of salt were added to one can of soup. I know Iโll enjoy all your super recipes and canโt wait to get started. How do u ever find the time to do all u do? Thanks for the latest recipes. E. G.
Hi Kate, I love cooking and have bought your book. I have over 40 cookbooks and I have to get rid of one if I buy another so thatโs quite a compliment. I tried to subscribe to your newsletter but with the pop ups it saved my recipe then reloaded. I hope it works. Love your webpage! Love your recipes and your whole foodness. I confess I add some meat to some of your recipes. You are inspirational.
Thanks,
Rita
Bought your cookbook. Great recipes. Keep it coming
Kate, I just tried your delicious 3 ingredient banana pancakes as my hubbie, son (19) and I were craving pancakes and wanted the easiest recipe. I added a few of the options too, plus a little vanilla essence. We topped them with either Nutella and crushed nuts, or peanut butter and honey. Absolutely delicious. I will definitely be trying more of your recipes. 5 stars
Hey, I just wanted to say thank you. I bought your cookbook when it came out and taught my kids how to cook with it. We started at the beginning and worked through it over a couple of years. Everyone loved all of the recipes! It gave both boys the confidence to make healthy meals for themselves, and they carried that skill into adulthood. Bought them each their own copy when they got their first places. Iโd love to see you do another cookbook some day!! Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for making such a well put together learning tool! Always love your recipes!!
Hi Amber, thank you so much for your kind words! Itโs so inspiring to see what a difference the cookbook has made for you and your children.